Loyalties: His loyalties lie of course with the Gotei, the Seireitei and the spirit world in general. But not necessarily with his direct superior, rather with the Captain of the 5th and the mission in general.Snapshots: Birth (1012);Starts training as "Berserkir" (1025); Takes part in raid on eastern caspian sea (1030)Captured by slavers (1031)Sold to japanese merchant (1033)Death (1047)Wandering Rukongai (-1560)Fight against thugs (1567)Slow awakening of powers (-1650)Entering Academy (1651)Prolonged training on own request (-1800)Graduation and acceptance into First Division (1801)Aquired Shikai (1942)Transfer to Fifth Division after several transfers through other divisions(2007)

[ ON THE SURFACE ]Physical Description: Kyojin is a tall and muscular built man. There's hardly any bodyfat visible, just enough that he looks healthy and not like a worn down bodybuilding addict. He is fair-skinned and prefers to shave any body hair. His hair is just combet enough that it wont felt into something like dreadlocks. His face is adorned by a short full beard.

His shihakusho is quite standard except that he removed the sleeves. Aside from that he he wears no accessoires, modifications or anything like that.

He absolutely detests wearing his zanpakuto at his side in his obi and wears it instead on his back with the hilt over his right shoulder.

If he's in a gigai in the world of the living he dresses in a slim-fitting leisure suit (sonny crocket style but modern).

All his movements and his posture speak of strength, energy and confidence, but since the plague something hounded shows through at times. The look of his eyes have something hard and distant sometimes, mixed with a hint of indifference, that can be unsettling to some. Note that this can change, should he get to know and like someone. His voice is full, strong and deep.

Also, he never uses any perfumes but always takes care of his personal hygiene. His outward appearance has become a little less important since the plague. He still takes care that his body, hair and clothes are clean, but in all his appearance is a hard to grasp 'worn' look. Also there are now some scars from scratches and cuts visible on his arms and chest.

Spiritual Description: His Reiatsu is cold blue in color, like st elmo's fire, and normally feels like a fresh and cold, but calm breeze. In battle however, it becomes like a wild, cold fire. One can feel a wild energy, like a raging icy stream, barely contained. The cold breeze now feels like a brutal storm, that claws at the skin with countless little icefingers, sharp like razors. [ BEHIND THE EYES ]Personality: Kyojin is a calm, almost cold person. He rarely looses his cool and shows a surprising patience, even towards some annoying persons. Was it a patience that he had to train himself hard for in the past, there is now a good deal of indifference in there, too. Due to the stress of the plague-crisis he often simply doesn't care enough to get agitated.Even though he is not really talkative he will speak his mind if he thinks he should. If asked for it, he will mostly say his opinion, even if the asking person doesn't really wants to know. Imagine a woman asks if a dress makes her look fat? You don't say yes, even if it does. Kyojin probably will. It had gotten him into trouble in the past and will do so in the future. His opinion is: If you don't want an answer, don't ask.Well, all in all, this calm personality is who he is now. In the past, Kyojin had some major anger issues. Even as a child, young Brandt was known to have a violent temper, long before he got called Kyojin. As he grew up it became apparent that it wasn't only just a violent temper. There was a rage burning inside the young man, like a wild fire, threatening to destroy everything around. Sometimes it burst free, manifesting seemingly in a senseless hatred towards all living things. Although it is contained through long training and Kyojin is a superficial different person now, this rage is still inside him, lingering beneath the surface.

Due to his time as a human and also his long time in Rukongai, he values strength greatly. This leads, on the other side, to a certain disrespect towards weakness. By extension this, and the remainder of his former temper, leads to him having a certain disrespect for authority, if it comes from individuals or groups that appear rather weak. Getting told what to do is something he doesn't like too much. Still, hee won't be disobeying orders outright, but a lack of respect showing through has gotten him into trouble more than once. To really get his respect a superior has to be strong and/or honorable, since these are very important elements for him.

Although he normally doesn't speak about this kind of thing, Kyojin doesn't specifically dislike or hate any species because of what it is in general. He developes hate towards individuals, but not towards species. If he goes to hunt Hollows, for example, it's just because it is his job, not because he hates them. Would he meet a strong Arrancar he gets along with, for example, he could become even friends with him/her. But that doesn't make him a Hollow or Quincy sympathiser either. He simply doesn't care what species someone belongs to. This extends of course to other Divisions inside the Gotei.

Goals & Achievements: Up until relative recently Kyojin didn't have any more goals as to beat the demon inside of him (the rage), learn to control it and become a full member of the Gotei that can pull his weight. Since he achieved Shikai and transferred to Fifth Division, he has on the one hand a lot more control over himself (although no complete control...who has?) and on the other hand a place he feels he belongs. Since then he feels it would be good for him to step out of the shadows, continue working on his skills and put his strength to use and, maybe more important, start having something like a normal life. For example by becoming a seated officer, for starters. Becoming Captain as a long term goal...certainly Captain Kyojin has a ring to it. Over all he has a great sense for the duties of a Shinigami in keeping the balance of the worlds and feels that his honor compels him to put his duties before most other things, as the most important goal (the goal to protect the balance, etc., even more after the plague)Another and much more the real goal than anything is something that lies deep within him. It's much more personal and maybe even still subconscious: First, even though he doesn't want to admit it to himself, his rage is only contained and suppressed, but never gone. And second, unbeknownst to him, he still doesn't fully understand his nature and heritage as a warrior, so going there is another goal.[ GUARDIAN ANGEL ]Zanpakutō Spirit: Gekido. The Spirit normally chooses to present herself in the form of a woman of undefinable age, fair skin like white marble, long dark hair, bright blue eyes. She's seems to be dressed in a long robe that goes from her shoulders to her feet and is made of black raven feathers. Only that it is no robe, it's wings that she folded around herself. She only lifts them if agitated or angry. Underneath she is completely naked.If angry red flames burns on her wings and in her eyes, which turn into those of a wild wolf. Her hands become the talon of a raven. (Both raven and wolf are important symbols of Kyojin's birth-culture, although he doesn't remember consciously)

Gekido tried to speak to Kyojin for a very long time, even when he was still wandering the Rukongai. But because of his anger inside he couldn't hear her. When he finally was ready for his Shikai, when he could hear the voice and understood the name and the dreams (his inner world), he realised that Gekido was a part of him. And not any part. She's the part of his soul that represents his warrior soul. Being very fond of him and moved by his struggle to conquer his anger on his own, Gekido helps him to contain it. She guides him with the strength of a warrior goddes (the wolf) and soothes his troubled mind with the calm of a wise woman (the raven). Simply put she helps him understand himself. So Kyojin and Gekido share a very deep and very good, strong relationship and caring for each other.

Although she's normally rather serious Gekido does in fact have a sense of humor. One of the rare occasions when it shows is when Kyojin performs Konso while in Shikai. When he touches the forehead of a ghost with the pommel of his sword the wolfhead stops snarling for a moment and 'smooches' the Konso-symbol onto the ghosts head. Kyojin lives in 'constant fear' that somebody might see this sometime, he is rather embarassed by this.

Inner World: When Kyojin visits his inner world it appears as clearing in a deep wood, that goes on forever. The sky is a beautiful nightsky, dotted with countles bright stars. A gentle breeze is rustling in the trees and the air smells like the woods smell right after a warm summer rain. It's like a definition for serenity.

However, if Gekido is angry, like mentioned above, the inner world transformes as drastically as she herself. A violent raging river surrounds the clearing, now only a small island, the distant trees catch fire and snow and ice cover the ground, as the sky turns into the rock-ceiling of a cave. Like a vision from hell itself.

Power: Gekido empowers Kyojin to call upon the inner warrior powers of his forefathers

Zanpakutō: The sealed Gekido takes the shape of a Katana with a slightly less curved but longer blade (80cm / ca 31,5in). The sheath is lacquered black without any ornaments and has leather straps, so that it can be worn on the back. The hilt is also wrapped in simple black cloth and the oval tsuba is plain metal without any ornaments and looking a bit worn. The blade, however, is shining metal and in perfect shape.[ LEGACY CREATED ]Origin: Born over a thousand years ago, Brandt was the son of a viking warrior called Herleif. Even as a child he was bigger and stronger than all the other kids his age. And he was wild. Sometimes it was well-nigh impossible to tame young Brandt and it was soon clear, that it wasn't just a violent temper, as his mother always claimed. But his father saw a fortune in the fire that burned in Brandt and wanted to use it to forge the boy to a weapon. So, at only 13 years, the boy started training to be a Berserkir, an elite warrior, that was said to be invincible. Of course this wasn't true but still,the Berkerskir were feared warriors and only the strongest and wildest men could become one.

Five years later Herleif took Brandt with him on a raid that took them as far as the eastern caspian sea. At this point Brandt was already a formidable warrior and his training enabled him to control a good deal of his temper. The journey lasted a whole year and was ultimately ill fated. When the Vikings went to a village that had been raided more than once over the last years they fell into a trap. Several hundret of the local populace had gathered. Although they suffered heavy casualties they defeated the Vikings, killed the older warriors were they stood and captured the young ones to sell them as slaves. So Brandt was captured and, a few years later, sold to a japanese merchant that took him back to Japan with him. At this point Brandt was weakened by malnutrition and barely able to walk on his own. The merchant himself had bought him out of curiosity for this bright haired giant, this "Kyojin" (the name that would become Brandt's new name in the following years). But the merchants daughter had pity with the giant and nursed him back to health. Her grandfather, the merchants father, recognized the fire of anger inside Brandt/Kyojin as Herleif before had and offered him help and spiritual guidance to further calm the raging current in his soul. For the first time someone just tried to help him. Until that the young man never had known something as a normal life. In the almost fifteen years Brandt, now only called Kyojin, spend with the merchants family, he almost became part of the family, although he was still a slave. There was even something like love that began to blossom between him and the merchants daughter. But this also went for a sudden and brutal end. As the merchant was rich he had a lot of enemies and people that were envious of his wealth. So Kyojin also worked as body guard when the merchant was travelling. Normally his looks alone were sufficient to drive anyone away but not this time.It wasnt a great fight or even an one-on-one were Kyojin could fight and die with honor. Suddenly, out of some thickets, a hail of arrows came flying...and marked the end of Kyojins life. The last thing he saw were about fifteen men storming the carriage of the merchant. Then everything went dark.

When Kyojin awoke in the afterlife it was quite a shock for him. He didn't, as he expected, wake up in Valhalla or even Hel. There was no tree that encompassed the nine worlds, as he had learned when he was young. Instead the afterlife was a huge slum-like city, crawling with souls, and a great central district: The Rukongai and the Seireitei. It came as a shock. He felt terribly lost. The only girl he had ever fallen in love with was probably dead and somewhere here. So he went on a long journey. For years and years he went on and searched. But the sheer size of the Rukongai and the countless souls made it an impossible task and even centuries wouldn't be enough. Or maybe she wasn't dead? So then he would have wasted an eternity and shurely now he would be dead. But still...what was he doing here? Why was he here? He doesn't belong here... such and much darker were his thoughts. Almost all his achievements in controlling himself were lost and at some times he reverted into an almost animal-like state. Time had become a blur.Then, unbeknown to Kyojin centuries had passed, he found a small farm in a region far out of the main districts. There a girl lived with her family and she almost looked like the merchant's daughter. The resemblance was so striking, that it actually got through to Kyojin. For some time he lived in a small wood near the farm but eventually he was spotted. Regret of so many missed chances flooded Kyojin and actually suppressed the fire inside a little and he begged the family to let him stay with them in exchange for work. They agreed and he put his muscles to use. For a short time there was something like happiness. But then one of the many gangs that roam the Rukongai, especially the outer districts, decided to attack. The thugs came in like they owned all of Rukongai. And at this time Kyojin first could hear a faint whisper. Incredibly faint, barely recognizable, but it provided something...some stanility and comfort. Kyojin fought and this time, as he wasn't ambushed, he won. He fought the thugs off with more power than even he would have imagined.

It was this fight when he realised that there was something more to him. From the family he had protected he learned of the Shinigami that lived in the Seireitei and that his powers probably would allow him to enter into their academy. So Kyojin once more travelled through the Rukongai, this time on his long journey back to the center.

Rise to Power: After entering the Academy it showed that Kyojin, despite his enormous natural strength, was somewhat of a 'slow learner'. Not because he lacked the cognitive capassity, but more because he started from a lower base level than most. While being trained as warrior before his death, he was trained in the use of broadsword, axe and shield, for example. As a broadsword had only the name 'sword' in common with a Katana (more or less), he not only had to start from zero, but also had to unlearn some of his former training. But it also turned out that he remembered only parts of his life, due to the long time that had passed, so there were gaps to fill in his education, that was thin in any case. As said, he was trained as a warrior, normal schooling was of very little importance. And on top of all that came the issues with his temper that broke through all the time and gave him an incredibly hard time controlling his spiritual energy.On his own request his time at the Academy was greatly increased, allowing him to take enough time to train. His fundamentals like his strength and durability as well als his will to never give up qualified him as valuable material, so his request was granted. And with hard work and focus he managed to become a very fine swordsman with the Katana und also became proficient without any weapons. His energy control, though, proved to be such a great issue, that he barely passed the exams in kido. But finally he graduated. Due to the fact that he still hadn't mastered his shikai or even properly communicating with his sword (it still looked like a standard Asauchi) he couldn't be asigned to any specialised squad. So he was assigned to the First Squad, being the only one that wasn't particularly specialised in anything. In his time there it took Kyojin an immense effort and lots of time to quiet the anger in him enough, so that, after well over one hundred years of service, he finally was able to really hear the voice. All this time there had been just a whisper, constantly growing louder and becoming really disturbing. But now, there was a voice. And a name.

Call to Action: Gekido was all the warmth he ever longed for, calming him from the very first touch. Had he formally only known his soul as a torn and burned piece of canvas, where someone else has painted his beliefs on, he now had to admit that he was wrong. The fire had raged so badly inside his soul that the rush of air was louder than Gekidos voice. And it just took so long for her to get through and show him, that she was there as a part of him and wanted for him to be well and happy. She was something like a mother, a friend and a partner and something totally different or nothing of the above. And she was a warrior, a valkyrie and a sage. It changed much and especially his perception of himself. She showed him what has slumbered within him, underneath all these issues: the heritage of a warrior. His anger wasn't a force that needed to be destroyed, but something that he could learn to conwuer, in time. And Gekido would be there to help him. Since then he really likes to visit Gekido in his inner world and talk to her. Having his Shikai and being on a par with the other Shinigami, Kyojin finally could start to evolve. As his Zanpakuto provided him indirectly with stability, he had the chance to find out what would be the best course for him, what would suit him best. And soon it'd become clear that it wouldn't be the First Division. So over some time he tried out the Public Safety Office and even the Third Division (to try and address his issues with kido). But finally he had to admit to himself what he was, had ever been and would ever be: a warrior. So the logical choice was the Fifth Division. Having gained nothing even close to a reputation he begann with the lowest of the low duties (as in all the other Divisions he served in). Only that this time it was different, because he was different. He knew that he now wanted to grow, being able to use his powers directed and focused. After some years he got a chance to prove himself on a trip to the human world. And he did prove himself. He slayed a bunch of Hollows. Low level, allowedly, but he eliminated them fast, efficient and with demonstrative force. And also he proved to be now very patient with others and even Pluses that were confused and tricky to handle. At this moment, his window opened up. Now he had the attention, now he could prove his worth.

Post by Kyojin on Jan 14, 2018 18:35:06 GMT -5

STATS, SKILLS, AND POWERS[ STRENGTH OF THE WORLD ]First Release - Shikai ("Aspect of the Wolf")Power Effects: Gekido transforms into a large, strong, two-edged broadsword with the ability for a ranged attack (normal attack action, single target. no splash damage)Power Description: Upon incantation of the release phrase "All-out attack!" blue flames engulf Kyojin's arm (the one or both that's holding the sword) and the Zanpakuto and Gekido transforms into a large, old and worn looking broadsword. It has no handguard to speak of and the long grip of a bastard-sword. The pommel is the small head of a wolf, snarling. On the blade are etched runes that spell 'wolf'. Blue, translucent flames, the same st-elmo-fire-color as Kyojins reiatsu, run along the blade. The flames react to Kyojin and his power output. In the midst of battle and when he swings the blade or fires a ranged attack they burn the brightest and highest. If he doesn't fight and everything is calm the flames become small an weak or can also vanish completely (with no adverse effect whatsoever, if the situation changes they are back in the blink of an eye). The flames on the blade itself don't have any additional effect. However, Kyojin can create a vague, flame-like wolf figure out of those. The wolf can be fired in an instant at an enemy for a ranged attack (in this case it looks like a blue fireball thrown from the blade, that has the vague features of a wolf appearing and disappearing). Also, if Kyojin chooses, he can create the wolf and 'store' it for a short time. In this case the wolf appears to stand and fight alongside Kyojin, becoming a little clearer drawn and mimicing blade strikes until he is fired. However, the wolf can only do damage if used as a ranged attack (otherwise serves merely as a visual distraction) and uses constant concentration as long as he is charged up and waiting. When the wolf hits it bites into the target before it explodes in a very confined are, doing only damage to the target it hit.

The blade and the wolf symbolise the base of his powers, his ancestry and his first training as warrior. It favors the ability to attack over defense, like a wild wolf that stands to defend his pack. Also it hints at the norse mythology, where the wolf Fenrir kills Odin in Ragnarok.

Second ReleasePower Effects: The mechanical portion of your power. Exclude any flavor text and simply tell us what your power does.Power Description: Flavor text that helps separate you from the rest. This can include more complex applications of the power, as well as special techniques your character is known for using with it.

Third ReleasePower Effects: The mechanical portion of your power. Exclude any flavor text and simply tell us what your power does.Power Description: Flavor text that helps separate you from the rest. This can include more complex applications of the power, as well as special techniques your character is known for using with it.

Post by Kyojin on Jan 14, 2018 18:35:18 GMT -5

Post by Kyojin on Jan 14, 2018 18:40:34 GMT -5

Okay, well, I'm as ready as I'll ever be for now. I would have dran a picture of my char but I suck at drawing. At least at drawing faces. So here it is: ready for approving, grading, rating and everything.

Post by Kyojin on Jan 15, 2018 5:23:50 GMT -5

Ah, okay, I was wondering about the power thing. But in the application template thread it said I was to first finish my app and then look at the power sheet.

Okay ,here is the plan:

The power is mainly meelee based. It coates the edges of the blade in higly vibrating energy particles that greatly enhance the cutting ability of the sword. Invisible aside from a little blurred air. Lime a vibro blade from kotor. Or: You know in the discworld novels, death's scythe? He sharpened it with the morning light until it was so sharp that a hair got split before it touched the edge. Like that;) It is meant to symbolize the destructive force of the rage used focused and controlled.However, I meant to include a second gear type of it. If Kyojin and/or Gekido get heavily wounded or damaged in battle, the control factor weakens. Too much energy pours out and the vibrations of the particles heats the air around the edges up so much that it begins to burn. Damage up, reach up (some of the fire gets spilled outwarf when Kyojin slashes). But it can only be used for avery brief period of time, even if the wounds alone wouldn't prevent fighting. This state is inherently unstable and Gekido hast to revert to a sealed state after short to prevent Kyojin completely loosing his sh**.

Post by Kyojin on Jan 15, 2018 21:07:09 GMT -5

Okay, it says basically that with the shikai I should keep it moderate and that sometimes shooting fireballs is enough. My Shikai is something like that. Very basic and stuff. So could you please elaborate a little bit what details you'd like to have or what you don't like about that power? I mean, what's there in the rules that speaks against it?

Anyway, I will give it some thought and maybe can come up with a 'better' version of my power.

Post by Shun Minamoto on Jan 16, 2018 9:48:02 GMT -5

Hi, Kyojin! Just write that up as a new Power and post it as a reply here, so I can see the whole, finished product. I'll give that one more look over and make any suggestions I can think of, but if it appears generally acceptable, I'll give that an approval.

Feel free to check out my proposed Powers for Rainier, Shun, and Lucas to get an idea of how to format them.

Post by Kyojin on Jan 16, 2018 15:44:13 GMT -5

Alright. And with that can I assume that I can spend my 1500 base gp? With that I am still a little bit unsure.

But here it comes:

Gekido Shikai

"All-out attack, Gekido!"

As Gekido is the embodiement of Kyojins anger it helps him by sealing this anger away. This enables Kyojin to stay calm and focused in battle, something he wouldn't have been able to in the past. To still let Kyojin use the force of this anger there's the Shikai, the aspect of the offence, as Gekido calls it sometimes. She concentrates the force in the form of an enourmous sword that resembles a saex: straight edge but almost no tip. The straight 'head' of the blade is slightly angled backwarts, towards the back of the blade. The edge looks a bit serrated and worn down. Theres no handguard of any kind, just a keather wrapped grip and a metal pommel with a ring attached. The whole weapon is only a little bit smaller than Kyojin himself.

The whole blade will radiate energy particles that vibrate at a high speed, thus enhancing the cutting power of Gekido immensely.

Technical:The power will grant a one level bonus at a power/weapon skill check (I think it's resonance, but I'm not sure. I'll read that up if the power per se is accepted).

With higher levels in the power skill the vibrations of this particles get stronger and slowly the air around the blade gets heated up and starts burning, more and more with each level. Note: this is purely cosmetical, the power itself stays the same.

EDIT: as I just read I think the skill that would be upped one rank in favour of Kyojin would be weapon proficiency and not resonance.